Category: Politics
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A land of remembering and forgetting
“For in Palestine we do not propose even to go through the form of consulting the wishes of the present inhabitants of the country … Zionism, be it right or wrong, good or bad, is rooted in age-long traditions, in present needs, in future hopes, of far profounder import than the desires and prejudices of…
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The trouble with conspiracy theories
A tale of peace and renewal Most countries these days wouldn’t shamelessly set about trying to move or destroy an entire population. Genocide is against international law but more importantly, it’s against all of our instincts. Killing, injuring and traumatizing children is against all of our hearts. So we think ‘why, really why?’ It is…
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The People we need to know about and some things we can do
(and Kingdom of Olives and Ash review part 2) I started reading this book after October 7th because understanding what’s happening in Israel / Palestine had suddenly become priority one. So urgent did it seem that I wrote a hasty paragraph or two when I was only halfway through, because I was already thinking I…
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Kingdom of Olives and Ash
Writers confront the occupation edited by Michael Chabon and Ayelet Waldman It’s hard to imagine what military occupation is like, if you’ve never had the misfortune to experience it. You try, and you’re never sure you’ve got there. It’s why I’ve been reading this collection put together in conjunction with Breaking the Silence, an organization…
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To those MPs, Cllrs and TU reps who haven’t yet called for ceasefire
Yes I know about the party directives, the potholes, the budget battles, the urgent community issues, the desire to win the next election etc You can’t solve any of those things in the middle of World War Three. The best you can say to yourself is that after World War Three, there won’t be anyone…
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This is not hate, and it is not a sport
I am not taking sides, are you? I hope not. This morning, many of the citizens of my town gathered at the Mosque to join a march for Palestine along the seafront. This evening, a fair few gathered despite the rain for a vigil for those in Gaza being bombarded daily. A few people, clearly…
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The value of twinning
When Grace moved to Hastings, the first people she got talking to were the local Palestine Solidarity group, when she joined their protest about that year’s attack by Israel on Palestinian territories. One of their plans that interested her was the idea of twinning Hastings with a Palestinian town. She had experience of the effectiveness…
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The imaginary end-game
It’s despair isn’t it. You’ve hurt the creature so badly you’re hoping it’ll just die, and no-one will notice. Or perhaps you’re a mere accomplice, or an accessory after the fact. “Grab a brick,” you say, closing your eyes tight. “Hit it, hit it, put it out of its misery.” And in a panic rage,…
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Winchester Writers’ Conference and the End of the World
How long ago was it? It feels like a hundred years, and just last year. Hang on, Terry Pratchett gave the plenary speech … When did he die? I picked up a book in the library and it reminded me of something important. It was … Okay … it was well over a decade ago.…
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Beyond political despair
Seeding despair in the enemy is a classic ploy. Don’t fall for it. We failed to change the Labour Party from within, but those of us who are now on the outside can do what we like – the problem is, many aren’t sure what to do. They say they feel “politically homeless”, they say…
Kay Green 